Product Range

Shigaraki Blue Ware by Yasuhiko Sugimoto

Due to difficulty of getting blue colour on Shigaraki Ware, he is virtually only one artist who is successful in realising the wonderful "Blue Ware".

Such subtle, shiny, elegant surfaces with mysterious marble patterns have attracted the Kyoto's proud restaurant owners who are always looking for genuine tableware to serve their precious celebrity guests.

Now, Mr Sugimoto and SEDO Corporation will introduce his masterpieces to the discriminating users in the world!

Shigaraki Raccoons - Fortune Bringer

If you walk into Shigaraki area, you will be surprised to see thusands of hundreds of ceramic Racoons in front of every single shop along the roads.

The Shigaraki Raccoon is a symbol of Shigaraki as well as most popular shape amongst Shigaraki Ware. (Please see below for a brief history and origin of the raccoons.

We, SEDO Corporation, also deal with these fortune bringer figurines, particular small sizes, which should be convenient for you to import.

Contact and Enquiry

Should you become interested in Shigaraki Ware & Raccoons, please do not hesitate to ask us for the detailed product line-up and prices. Contact Form

A Brief History

Shigaraki is a place-name located to the south to Lake Biwa, the biggest lake in Japan, and also in back of two important medieval capitals, Nara and Kyoto.

In early medieval era, by utilising the quality clay originated from the bed of the ancient Lake Biwa, Shigaraki Klins began producing the jars, wide bowls, grinding bowls.

Tea Masters' Favourtes - In 16th Century.

The characteristics of the clay in Shigaraki, being rich in iron content, can bring warm orange colour. With development of firing technique, Shigaraki Klins in 16th Century produced the tableware, jars, bowls jars, and others in the form of being simple but full of aesthetic tastes.

This unique character attracted many Tea Masters in Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara in 16th Century including Master Juko Murata and Master Sen no Rikyu. They instructed the Shigaraki Klins to produce the wares matching their "wabi-sabi" concept of Tea Ceremony aestheticism. Such demand required the Klins to develop their technique further with innovation.

Modern Daily Wares

Since 17th Century, the demand for Tea Masters has been declined, and Shigaraki Klins shifted to produce daily wares including sake flasks, pots, jars, ceramic lamp shades and fire bowls.

However, the traditional innovative spirits still reside with the Klins in Shigaraki and invented some new techniques, and even today, the artists are seeking the ways of "New Shigarki Ware".

Birth of Shigaraki Raccoon, the Fortune Bringer

The world's famous Shigaraki Raccoon (Tanuki) originated in Meiji Era, aiming at creation of new local specialty products, allegedly by ceramic artist Mr Testuzo Fujiwara. It is in 1951 that Shigaraki Raccoons became popular all over Japan when hundreds of Shigaraki Raccoons welcomed the Emperor visiting Shigaraki.

Nowadays, Shigaraki Raccoons have become symbol of Shigaraki itself, as these figurines are popular and well-received by Japanese people as "Fortune Bringer". (The Japanese term "tanuki" could be pun with the phrase meaning "Overtaking the others".)

In these days, the Klins offers variety of sizes from hand-held to standing, and of appearance.